Quick-release coupling for pipes

ABSTRACT

A quick-action coupling for coupling pipes includes a tubular inner part having an outer surface for supporting a pipe to be coupled; an inner sleeve and a clamping ring, each surrounding at least a portion of the tubular inner part for clamping the pipe to be coupled between the outer surface of the tubular inner part and the clamping ring; a toothed ring between the inner sleeve and the clamping ring; and an outer sleeve surrounding at least a portion of the inner sleeve, the toothed ring and the clamping ring, the outer sleeve comprises a cylindrical region having at least two inside diameters (d 1 , d 2 ) and a conical region, wherein the clamping ring is received in the conical region.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a quick-action coupling for pipes, with atubular inner part, with an inner sleeve, with a clamping ring, with atoothed ring having teeth and with an outer sleeve.

In pipeline construction, in particular for domestic pipeline systems,that is to say for the indoor supply of hot and cold water for sanitarypurposes and for the heating circuits, plastic pipelines areincreasingly being used. Above all in heating systems with hot waterlines laid in the floors, at least two couplings must be produced foreach heatable room. Approximately 20 to 30 couplings are necessary for anormal one-family house. The couplings must be capable of beinginstalled quickly, reliably and permanently.

DE 196 45 853 C1 discloses a generic quick-action coupling. A connectionregion of an adapter receives the end of a pipeline. The connectionregion of the adapter comprises, from the outside inward, a conicallydesigned connection sleeve and a clamping cone which cooperates with theconnection sleeve and which is held under spring tension in the axialdirection by a spring. The clamping cone has, on the side facing thepipe, toothing elements which engage into the outer wall of the pipe.The pipeline end is introduced into the adapter. When a retaining clipwhich holds the spring under pretension is drawn away, the springpresses the clamping cone with a defined force into the likewiseconically designed clamping sleeve, and the toothing elements engageinto the pipe outer wall. This quick-action coupling is used as part ofan adaptable pipeline installation system for medium-carrying pipelinesfor a wide pressure and temperature range. The quick-action coupling iscomposed essentially of metal parts.

DE 101 57 304.9 (not published prior to the present specification)describes a quick-action coupling for pipes, which comprises an adapterwith a coupling region and with a connection region, the coupling regionbeing designed for coupling to a pipe connection part suitable for it,and the connection region being designed for connection to a free end ofa pipeline. Arranged in the connection region, around the end of thepipeline, are a part-circular toothed ring, a part-circular clampingcone and a circular connection sleeve. The adapter has, in theconnection region, at least two latching fingers arranged on a circleand extending in the axial direction, in each case with latching stepsprojecting in the radial direction, and a driver ring for driving theconnection sleeve is arranged in the connection region so as to beaxially displaceable with respect to the latching fingers and so as tobe radially latchable with respect to the latching steps.

DE 102 12 735.2 (not published prior to the present specification)describes a quick-action coupling for pipes, which comprises a tubularinner part, a clamping ring and a toothed ring having part-circularteeth. The quick-action coupling has an outer sleeve and an inner sleevewhich consists of at least two parts.

The object of the invention is to provide a quick-action coupling whichis constructed from as few individual parts as possible, which iscompatible with the pipeline system and which can be producedcost-effectively both in terms of production and in terms of assembly onthe construction site. The quick-action coupling is to ensure anabsolutely secure and reliable connection, even without the aid ofinstallation tools.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing object is achieved by a quick-action coupling for pipes,comprising a tubular inner part, an inner sleeve, a clamping ring, atoothed ring having teeth and an outer sleeve, wherein the outer sleevehas a cylindrical region with at least two different inside diametersand a clamping region designed conically on an inside surface.

The quick-action coupling is constructed from as few individual parts aspossible. The assembly of the quick-action coupling together with thepipeline system on the construction site involves as few steps aspossible.

To achieve a simple handing of the coupling, advantageously the innersleeve is composed of two virtually identical halves.

Handling is further simplified by the formation of holding fingers onthe inner sleeve for firmly holding the toothed ring before assembly onthe construction site.

Preferably, the parts of the quick-action coupling are producedessentially from plastic, advantageously the outer sleeve and/or theinner sleeve being transparent.

For safety reasons, that is to say for checking the correct connectionof the coupling to the pipeline, the outer sleeve and/or the innersleeve are/is produced from a transparent plastic. Inspection windowsarranged at a suitable point may likewise be envisaged.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features according to the invention are listed in the remainingsubclaims. In support of the claims, reference is made to thedescription of the Figures.

One possible exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated in thedrawing in which:

FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of the quick-action coupling without apipeline to be connected,

FIG. 2 shows a three-dimensional view of the inner sleeve, of thetoothed ring and of the clamping ring,

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the quick-action coupling with pipelinein the installed state before the first commissioning of the pipeline,

FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of the quick-action coupling with pipelinein the installed state after the pipeline has been subjected topressure,

FIG. 5 shows a possible application of the quick-action coupling,

FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of the quick-action coupling in a secondexemplary embodiment, with a pipeline not yet connected,

FIG. 7 shows a three-dimensional view of the inner sleeve with toothedring and clamping ring from FIG. 6,

FIG. 8 shows a sectional view of the quick-action coupling with pipelinein an intermediate phase,

FIG. 9 shows a sectional view of the quick-action coupling with pipelinein the final installed state,

FIG. 10 shows a further possible application of the quick-actioncoupling,

FIG. 11 shows a partially sectional view of a detail of a pipelinesystem with two quick-action couplings according to the invention,

FIG. 12 shows a view of the detail of the pipeline system of FIG. 11 inthe assembled state,

FIG. 13 shows a section through an adapter of the quick-action couplingsof FIGS. 11 and 12 before assembly,

FIG. 14 shows a section through the adapter of FIG. 13 in a first phaseof assembly,

FIG. 15 shows a section through the adapter of FIG. 14 in a final phaseof assembly,

FIG. 16 shows a section through the adapter of FIG. 15 in a pipelinesystem subjected to the pressure of the medium, and

FIGS. 17 to 19 show further examples of the application of thequick-action coupling.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of the quick-action coupling 1 forconnection to a pipeline which can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. Thequick-action coupling 1 consists of a nipple-shaped, essentiallycylindrically designed inner part 2, of an inner sleeve 3, of an outersleeve 4, of a clamping ring 5 and of a toothed ring 6. With theexception of the toothed ring 6 made from metal, all the parts of thequick-action coupling 1 can be produced from plastic material in aninjection molding method. The quick-action coupling 1 serves for makinga connection between a pipeline, not illustrated here, and a pipeconnection part 10. The pipeline can be pushed on, as on a nipple, andconnected on the right side of the inner part 2, and the pipe connectionpart 10 is illustrated as being pushed on, as on a nipple, on theopposite, left side of the inner part 2.

On the outside of the cylindrical inner part 2 are formed grooves 21 inwhich O-ring seals 22 are arranged. This ensures that the medium in thepipeline system is sealed off outwardly. Two different projections 23,24 are formed on the outer circumference of the inner part 2approximately in the middle between the two nipple-shaped regions havingthe grooves 21 and the O-ring seals 22. A first projection 23 serves asa stop for the pipe connection part 10 and a second projection 24 servesfor receiving the inner sleeve 3.

The inner sleeve 3 is constructed from at least two part-circular parts,for example from two half shells 31, 32. The half shells 31, 32 of theinner sleeve 3 are produced in a mold on a plastic injection moldingplant, can be connected to one another by means of a small web 39 andare produced in pairs. The inner sleeve 3 may also be produced from aplurality of part-circular shell parts 31, 32. Further projections 33,34 are formed on the inside of the inner sleeve 3. A groove 35 having adefined geometry is formed between the first projection 33 and thesecond projection 34. The geometry of this groove 35 coincides exactlywith the geometry of the second projection 24 of the inner part 2.During the premounting of the quick-action coupling 1, the shell parts31, 32 are laid on the inner part 2 and folded shut. In this case, thegroove 35 is filled exactly with the second projection 24 of the innerpart 2. The coincidental geometries of the groove 35 and of theprojection 24 rule out a faulty premounting.

The inner sleeve 3 has on the outside, in the region of the projections33, 34, an external thread 36 which cooperates with an internal thread41 formed on the inside of the outer sleeve 4. A plurality of fingers 37are formed on the inner sleeve 3 on the right side of the latter, thatis to say on the pipeline side. At the free ends of the fingers 37, theradially outward-pointing surfaces of the fingers 37 are designed insuch a way that, at least during premounting, the toothed ring 6 iscarried by these finger outer surfaces. The fingers 37 are relativelyslender and are integrally formed resiliently on the inner sleeve 3. Thefingers 37 may also be formed by a plurality of slots in the wall of theinner sleeve 3. Owing to the pretension of the resilient fingers 37,during premounting the toothed ring 6 cannot come loose from the innersleeve 3 and cannot easily be lost. If the toothed ring 6 made frommetal is designed continuously over 360° on the outer circumference, theshell parts 31, 32 are also partially held together after being foldedshut around the inner part 2. The premounting of the quick-actioncoupling 1 is thereby further simplified.

On the pipeline side, the clamping ring 5 is arranged, following thetoothed ring 6, within the outer sleeve 4. The outer sleeve 4 enclosesthe clamping ring 5, the toothed ring 6 and the inner sleeve 3 insuccession. The outer sleeve 4 has one behind the other, as seen fromthe pipeline, four different regions with different tasks: a conicalregion with a conically designed inner surface 42 which cooperates withthe likewise conically designed outer surface 52 of the clamping ring 5,a following first cylindrical region 43 with an inside diameter d1, forreceiving the outer wall 61 of the toothed ring 6 and the fingers 37 ofthe inner sleeve 3, a wider cylindrical region 44 having the internalthread 41, with an inside diameter d2, and a final cylindrical region 45with an inside diameter d3 for firmly holding the shell parts 31, 32 ofthe inner sleeve 3. The inner sleeve 3 has a rim region with a largeroutside diameter than the rest of the outer sleeve. This rim region actsas a stop 38 for the outer sleeve 4 when the outer sleeve 4 is beingscrewed on.

The clamping ring 5 is designed conically on the outer surface area 52and is adapted correspondingly to the conical inner surface 42 of theouter sleeve 4. Furthermore, the clamping ring 5 has at least oneprojection 53 in the inner region. The projections 53 serve forincreasing the pressure which acts on the pipeline when the quick-actioncoupling 1 is in the state assembled together with the pipeline. Thelateral surface area 52 of the conical clamping ring 5 is always, atleast in regions, in contact with the conical inner surface 42 of theouter sleeve 4 at any time, that is to say both after premounting and inthe ready-installed state. The inner sleeve 3 and/or the outer sleeve 4are/is manufactured from transparent material, for example plastic.

The inner sleeve 3, the toothed ring 6 and the clamping ring 5 areillustrated three-dimensionally in FIG. 2. In order to make mountingeasier, the inner sleeve 3 may be manufactured from two half shells 31and 32, the half shells 31 and 32 being connected by means of a web 39.All the other reference symbols correspond to those of FIG. 1. Thetoothed ring 6 has, on the inner circumference, teeth 62 for theretention of the pipeline. The conical outer surface 52 and theprojections 53 have already been described with reference to FIG. 1. Theconical clamping ring 5 has a slot 54. The clamping ring 5 ispretensioned before the first introduction into the conical region ofthe outer sleeve 4. The pretensioning of the clamping ring 5 serves forholding the toothed ring 6 nondisplaceably on the fingers 37 of theinner sleeve 3.

The mounting of the quick-action coupling 1 takes place in that, in afirst step, after the O-rings 22 have been placed into the grooves 21 ofthe inner part 2, the two halves 31 and 32 are applied to the inner part2 with an appropriate fit, the projection 24 of the inner part 2engaging into the groove 35 of the inner sleeve 3. The projection 24fits exactly with the groove 35. The two halves 31 and 32 aremanufactured in such a way that, in the closed folded-shut state, aclosed external thread 36 is obtained which cooperates with the internalthread 41 of the outer sleeve 4. In a second step, the toothed ring 6 ispushed onto the fingers 37 of the folded-together inner sleeve 3 and isheld firmly on the outer surfaces of the fingers 37.

In a third step, the clamping ring 5 is introduced under pretension intothe outer sleeve 4. Finally, in a fourth step, the outer sleeve 4 isscrewed onto the inner sleeve 3 as far as the stop 38. The quick-actioncoupling 1 is thus premounted for installation on the construction site.During the introduction of the pipe connection part 10, latching fingers17, which are formed resiliently on the inner sleeve 3, latch into agroove 18 of the pipe connection part 10. The groove 18 can be seen inFIGS. 1, 3 and 4. The arrangement of the latching fingers 17 on the halfshells of the inner sleeve 3 can best be seen in FIG. 2.

The functioning of the quick-action coupling 1 is illustrated in FIGS. 3and 4. In the pressureless state, according to FIG. 3, a pipeline 20 isintroduced into the quick-action coupling 1 as far as the secondprojection 34 of the inner sleeve 3. When the pipeline 20 is subjectedto pressure, the situation according to FIG. 4 arises. The pipeline 20is displaced somewhat away from the second projection 34 of the innersleeve 3 and is held firmly by virtue of the teeth 62 arranged in thetoothed ring 6 and by means of the projections 53 of the clamping ring5, so that a secure connection is obtained.

FIG. 5 shows an application of the quick-action coupling 1. In each casetwo quick-action couplings 1, 1′ are connected to the ends of a pipeconnection part 10′ which is designed here, for example, as a T-fitting.To check for a secure connection, the quick-action couplings 1, 1′ haveinspection windows 19 or they consist of transparent material. Duringthe connection of the coupling to the T-fitting 10′, an acoustic signalin the form of a “click” is generated as a result of the latching of thelatching fingers 17 into the groove 18.

FIGS. 6 to 10 show a second exemplary embodiment of the quick-actioncoupling.

FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of the quick-action coupling 101 forconnection to a pipeline 120 which can be seen still outside thequick-action coupling. The inner sleeve 103, onto which the outer sleeve104 is screwed in turn, is arranged over a nipple-shaped inner part 102which serves as a carrier for the pipeline 120. Inside the quick-actioncoupling 101, the inner sleeve 103 is followed, as seen in the directionof the pipeline 120, by the toothed ring 106 and the clamping ring 105.The inner sleeve 103 is constructed in two parts from two half shellhalves 107 and 108, as is shown in FIG. 7 described in more detailbelow. The inner sleeve 103 has an external thread 109 which cooperateswith the internal thread 110 arranged on the outer sleeve 104. Theclamping ring 105 is designed conically on the lateral surface area 111so as to be adapted correspondingly to the conical inner region of theouter sleeve.

Furthermore, the clamping ring 105 has at least one projection 118 inthe inner region. The inner sleeve 103 has projections 112 which engageinto the grooves 113 arranged in the inner part. The inner part 102 hasat least two tubular regions 114 and 115 with different diameters. Forsealing off, two O-rings 116 and 117 are attached in each case on thetubular regions 114 and 115 of the inner part. The stop 119 serves forlimiting the travel of the outer sleeve 104. The inner part 103 has, atone end, a prolongation 125, into which clearances 121 are introduced inorder to save material. The inner sleeve 103 and/or the outer sleeve 104are/is manufactured from transparent material, for example plastic.

The inner sleeve 103, the toothed ring 106 and the clamping ring 105 areillustrated three-dimensionally in FIG. 7. In order to make mountingpossible, the inner sleeve is manufactured from two half shells 107 and108, the half shells 107 and 108 being connected by means of a web 126.All the other reference symbols correspond to those of FIG. 6. Moreover,this embodiment of the inner sleeve 103 has no clearances 121 on theprolongation 125.

The toothed ring 106 has, on the inner circumference, teeth 127 forretention of the pipeline 120.

The clamping ring 105 has an interruption 123. The conical region 111and the projection 118 have already been described with regard to FIG.6.

The mounting of the quick-action coupling takes place in that, in afirst step, after the O-rings 116 and 117 have been put in place, thetwo halves 107 and 108 are applied to the inner part 102 with anappropriate fit, the projections 112 of the inner sleeve 103 engaginginto the grooves 113 of the inner part. The two halves 107 and 108 aremanufactured in such a way that, in the closed state, a closed externalthread 109 is obtained which cooperates with the internal thread 110 ofthe outer sleeve.

In the second step, the clamping ring 105 and the toothed ring 106 areintroduced into the outer sleeve 104.

Finally, in the third step, the outer sleeve 104 is screwed onto theinner sleeve 103 as far the stop 119.

The quick-action coupling 101 is thus mounted for installation.

The function of the quick-action coupling 101 is illustrated in FIGS. 8and 9. In the pressureless state, according to FIG. 8, the pipeline 120is introduced into the quick-action coupling 101 as far as the innerstop 128. When the pipeline 120 is subjected to pressure, the situationaccording to FIG. 9 arises. The pipeline 120 is displaced somewhat awayfrom the stop 128 and is held firmly by virtue of the teeth 127 arrangedin the toothed ring 106 and by means of the clamping ring 105, so that asecure connection is obtained.

FIG. 10 shows an application of the quick-action coupling 101. In eachcase two quick-action couplings 101, 101′ are connected to the ends of afitting 129. To check for a secure connection, the quick-actioncouplings 101, 101′ have inspection windows 130, 130′ or they consist ofa transparent material. During the connection of the coupling to thefitting, an acoustic signal in the form of a “click” is generated.

A further exemplary embodiment of the quick-action coupling is shown inFIGS. 11 to 19.

FIG. 11 illustrates a detail of a pipeline system with two quick-actioncouplings. The quick-action coupling is constructed from an adapter 201,201′ and a pipe connection part 202. The adapter 201, 201′ consists of acoupling region 203, which is designed complementarily to a couplingreception region 204 of the pipe connection part 202, and of aconnection region 205. By the adapter 201, 201′ and the pipe connectionpart 202 being designed complementarily, a pipeline connection can bemade simply and quickly. The connection region 205 of the adapter 201serves for connection to one end 206 of a pipeline 207 and is describedin more detail particularly with reference to FIGS. 13 to 16. Thepipeline system of FIG. 11 comprises a T-shaped pipe connection part 202with the possibility of connecting the ends 206 of three pipelines 207.The pipelines 207 may be produced from plastic, from compositemetal/plastic materials or from light metal materials.

In FIG. 11, two pipeline ends 206 are illustrated as being connectableto two coupling reception regions 204, 204′ arranged at an angle of 90°to one another. A blind plug 208, not a pipeline, is illustrated asbeing connectable to the third coupling reception region 204″. Theexemplary embodiment of FIG. 11 shows that, by means of the combinationof a T-shaped pipe connection part 202 and of a blind plug 208,different arrangements of pipeline ends 206 can be connected to oneanother. It is also conceivable that the coupling reception regions 204,204′, 204″ have different line inside diameters, so that even pipelineswith a different diameter can be connected to one another. On account ofthis high adaptability to different operating conditions, the pipeconnection part 202 is therefore also designated as a module 202. Theblind plug 208 has a coupling region 203″ which is designed identicallyto the coupling region 203, 203′ of the adapter 201, 201′.

FIG. 12 illustrates the detail of the pipeline system of FIG. 11 onceagain, but in the assembled state here. The inspection windows 209, 209′are illustrated in the connection regions 205, 205′. It can be observedthrough these inspection windows 209, 209′ that the operation ofconnecting the adapter 201 to the pipe 207 is concluded completely andthat a secure connection has been made.

The operation of connecting the pipeline end 206 to the adapter 201 isdescribed in the individual phases of the operation with reference tothe sections of FIGS. 13 to 16.

FIG. 13 illustrates the end 206 of a pipeline 207 and an adapter 201.The adapter 201 is illustrated as it is delivered on the constructionsite. The adapter 201 consists of the connection region 205 and,adjoining the latter in the axial direction, of the coupling region 203and is produced essentially from plastic materials, for example in aninjection molding method. The end 206 of the pipeline 207 made fromplastic is calibrated internally before assembly, that is to say is setto the correct inside diameter, and is chamfered from the end, on theinside, to form a chamfer 210. As seen from the inside outward, thefollowing individual parts are evident in the connection region 205 ofthe adapter 201: a driver ring 211, a toothed ring 212, a clamping cone213 and a connecting sleeve 214.

At least two latching fingers 215 are formed in the connection region205 of the adapter 201. At the boundary between the connection region205 and the coupling region 203 is formed a stop 216 which serves forlimiting the axial movement of the connecting sleeve 214 with respect tothe connection region 205 of the adapter 201. The stop 216 is designedas an all-round continuous annular projection on the outer circumferenceof the adapter 201. The driver ring 211 is arranged so as to fit into agroove 217 on the inside of the connecting sleeve 214.

The fit between the connecting sleeve 214 and the driver ring 211 is soaccurate that, in the event of the axial movement of the driver ring211, the connecting sleeve 214 also executes the same axial movement.Both the driver ring 211 and the connecting sleeve 214 are designedcontinuously over the full circle circumference, at least in the regionof the groove 217, and form a stable and load-bearing combination.During the assembly of the adapter 201 together with the pipeline end206, this combination serves for transmitting the forces which have tobe applied for assembly purposes.

The driver ring 211 is designed in the manner of an annular disk 211.Part-circular and axially continuous orifices 218 are cut out in theannular disk 211. An orifice 218 is provided in each case for eachlatching finger 215. The latching fingers 215 are arranged on a circleat a distance from the inner wall of the connection region 205. Two,three or more latching fingers 215, which all extend in the axialdirection of the adapter 201, may be formed. The latching fingers 215have a plurality of latching steps 219 which are formed on the latchingfingers 215 so as to project in the radial direction. The driver ring211 has a latching nose 220 in each of the orifices 218, said latchingnoses being formed so as to project inward in the radial direction andcooperating with the latching steps 219 of the latching fingers 215.

The toothed ring 212 and the clamping cone 213 are designedpart-circularly, that is to say not all-round continuously. The toothedring 212 and the clamping cone 213 are produced so as to be open on partof their circumference, so that, when a force acts on the toothed ring212 and on the clamping cone 213 in the radial direction, these can varyin diameter, that is to say narrow. The toothed ring 212 is fitted intoa depression 221 on the inside of the clamping cone 213. The toothedring 212 and the clamping cone 213 thus also form a stable unit. Whenpressure is exerted on the clamping cone 213 from the outside inward,the diameter of the toothed ring 212 will be reduced. The toothed ring212 is produced from a metal band by stamping, cutting and bending andhas a profile which accords exactly with the tasks of the toothed ring.Like all the other components of the quick-action coupling, the clampingcone 213 is produced from plastic in an injection molding method.

In the delivery state, the clamping cone 213 is located inside theconnecting sleeve 214 on a circle having the largest possible diameter.The driver ring 211, which drives the connecting sleeve 214 in the axialdirection, is in latch engagement by means of the latching nose 220 withthat of the latching steps 219 which is furthest away from the couplingregion 203, as seen in the axial direction. The end face of the driverring 211 is at the same height as or is somewhat higher than the endface of the latching fingers 215. The clamping cone 213 lies on the endface of the driver ring 211. O-ring seals, which may be arranged infurther peripheral grooves for sealing off the medium outwardly, areomitted in FIG. 13.

In FIG. 14, in comparison with FIG. 13, the adapter 201 has just beenplaced with the connection region 205 onto the end 206 of the pipeline207. On the construction site, the installer will pick up with one handthe free end 206 of the already laid flexible plastic pipeline 207 andbend it away from the wall or from the floor as far as necessary forworking and with the other hand slip the adapter 201 onto the pipelineend 206. In the state illustrated in FIG. 14, pressure has still notbeen exerted on the end 206 or on the adapter 201. The end 206 of thepipeline 207 just touches the driver ring 211 and the clamping cone 213has not yet been moved axially. In the state shown in FIG. 14, as in thestate shown in FIG. 13, the clamping cone 213 can still be seen in theinspection window 209. It can thus be observed through the inspectionwindow 209 that the clamping cone 213 has not yet moved with respect tothe connecting sleeve 214.

FIG. 15 illustrates the adapter 201 once again, but after being slippedonto the pipeline 207 and after pressing together. The adapter 201together with the latching fingers 215 in the connection region 205 hasbeen pushed as far as possible through the orifice 218. The latchingnose 220 of the driver ring 211 in this case jumps over the latchingsteps 219 of the latching fingers 215. The jump over the latching stepsis detected by the installer as a signal perceptible audibly and byfeel. Since the end 206 of the pipeline 207 lay on the driver ring 211before the pushing movement, as a consequence of the pushing movementthe clamping cone 213 is moved in the axial direction with respect tothe connecting sleeve 214 and with respect to the pipeline 207. Betweenthe state shown in FIG. 14 and the state shown in FIG. 15, the pipeline207 does not move with respect to the connecting sleeve 214. Only theadapter 201 together with the latching fingers 215 and the clamping cone213 move with respect to the pipeline 207.

The adapter 201 is pushed into the connecting sleeve 214 as far as thestop 216. Since the clamping cone 213 is designed conically on theoutside, and since the connecting sleeve 214 is likewise designedconically on the inside, the clamping cone 213 and therefore also thetoothed ring 212 are pressed together in the radial direction, that isto say in the direction of the outer wall of the pipeline 207, as aconsequence of this axial movement. In contrast to many otherquick-action couplings, for example those with a bayonet fastening or aunion nut, coupling is not made by means of a rotational or screwingmovement, but by means of a linear pushing movement. The adapter 201 isslipped onto the end 206 of the pipeline 207 with a push in the axialdirection and can be connected, without a tool, first to the pipeline207 and subsequently to the pipe connection part 202 or to the module202.

The toothed ring 212 made from metal has, on the inner circumference, amultiplicity of teeth 222 arranged in a distributed manner, of which twoteeth 222 can be seen in FIG. 15. The metal teeth 222 cut into the outerwall of the plastic pipeline 207. The clamping cone 213 is no longervisible in the inspection window 209. By observing the signal,perceptible audibly and by feel, from the latching noses 220 which jumpover the latching steps 219, and by observing the inspection window 209,the installer can make sure that the adapter 201 has been connected tothe end 206 of the pipeline 207 securely and completely. A clamping cone213 cannot be seen in the inspection window or inspection windows 209,but only the latching fingers 215 or, depending on the annular positionof the connecting sleeve 214 with respect to the latching fingers 215,the outer wall of the pipe 207. In the state shown in FIG. 15, thepipeline system is still pressureless, that is to say the adapter hasnot yet been connected to the pipe connection part 202 or to the module202 and medium pressure still does not act on the pipeline system.

FIG. 16 shows once again the connection of the adapter 201 to the end206 of the pipeline 207. In the state shown in FIG. 16, in contrast tothe state shown in FIG. 15, the adapter 201 has been connected to thepipe connection part 202, not illustrated here, and the pipeline systemhas been subjected to medium pressure. Due to the medium pressure, thepipeline 207 and the clamping cone 213 are pressed slightly out of theadapter 201.

This state is illustrated, slightly exaggerated, in FIG. 16, in order tounderstand the conditions more clearly. Owing to the pull-out movementof the clamping cone 213 as a consequence of the pressure rise, saidclamping cone being held radially by the connecting sleeve 214, thediameter will be further reduced. The teeth 221 of the toothed ring 212are cut further into the outer wall of the pipeline end 206. In theregions of the toothed ring 212 where there are no teeth 222 stampedaway inward, the toothed ring has an essentially cylindrical profile andwill come to lie flat on the outer wall of the pipeline 207. The specialprofile of the toothed ring 212 prevents the metal teeth 222 fromcutting too deeply into the plastic material. The special design of theinner wall of the clamping cone 213 with a likewise cylindrical regionand with further plastic teeth 223 also contributes to ensuring that theteeth 222, 223 do not cut into the plastic material more deeply than anexactly defined depth. This prevents the pipeline end 206 from being cutoff by the metal teeth 222 in the event of an excessive pull-out force.

FIGS. 17 to 19 illustrate further applications of the quick-actioncoupling. FIG. 17 shows the quick-action coupling from FIGS. 11 to 16 inconjunction with a connection 225 for fittings in the sanitary sector.

FIG. 18 shows a pipe connection part 202 with a blind plug 208 and withtwo adapters 201, 231. The adapter 231 has a larger diameter than theadapter 201. This is intended to indicate that, using the same module202, reductions or transitions with a different diameter can also beproduced. The module 202 may be produced from plastic or from metal andis thus adaptable to different pipeline materials.

FIG. 19 illustrates two adapters 201 and two modules 202 which areconnected to one another by means of an intermediate piece 232. Theintermediate piece 232 has, on two opposite sides, coupling regions 235which are designed identically to the coupling regions 205 from FIGS. 11to 16. This is intended to indicate that what are known as manifolds ordistributor fittings can also be produced by means of any number ofmodules 202 and intermediate pieces 232. Instead of a further module202, a transition piece 236 with a thread, for example an externalthread, may also be slipped onto the intermediate piece 232. The designof the coupling region 235 is illustrated in FIG. 19 with four outerpart-circular and resilient regions 238 having latching hooks 239. Thelatching hooks 239 in FIG. 19 are designed to point radially inward,but, in a correspondingly reversed design of the coupling region 235,may also be designed to point outward.

The advantages associated with the invention lie, in particular, in asimple premounting of the quick-action coupling itself. On the otherhand, it affords a secure connection of the pipeline to the coupling.The quick-action coupling is distinguished by particularly fewindividual parts which can easily be produced.

1. A quick-action coupling for coupling pipes comprising: a tubularinner part having an outer surface for supporting a pipe to be coupled;an inner sleeve and a clamping ring, each surrounding at least a portionof the tubular inner part for clamping the pipe to be coupled betweenthe outer surface of the tubular inner part and the clamping ring; atoothed ring between the inner sleeve and the clamping ring; and anouter sleeve surrounding at least a portion of the inner sleeve, thetoothed ring and the clamping ring, the outer sleeve comprises acylindrical region having at least two inside diameters (d₁, d₂) and aconical region, wherein the clamping ring is received in the conicalregion.
 2. The quick-action coupling as claimed in claim 1, wherein theinner sleeve comprises two substantially identical semicircular shellparts.
 3. The quick-action coupling as claimed in claim 2, wherein thetwo semicircular shell parts forming the inner sleeve are provided withan external thread onto which the outer sleeve, provided with aninternal thread, is screwed.
 4. The quick-action coupling as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the inner sleeve has fingers with radiallyoutward-pointing finger surfaces for holding the toothed ring.
 5. Thequick-action coupling as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner sleevehas, on an inner circumference, two inwardly directed peripheralprojections which form a peripheral groove for receiving a furtherprojection on the tubular inner part.
 6. The quick-action coupling asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the clamping ring comprises a split ringhaving a slot means in the circumferential direction for pretensioningin the conical region of the outer sleeve.
 7. The quick-action couplingas claimed in claim 1, wherein the clamping ring has at least oneprojection on an inner circumference.
 8. The quick-action coupling asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the inner sleeve has, on an outercircumference, a stop for abutting the outer sleeve.
 9. The quick-actioncoupling as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tubular inner part has atleast two tubular regions having different outside diameters.
 10. Thequick-action coupling as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tubular innerpart has at least two grooves for receiving O-ring seals for sealing offthe inner part relative to a pipeline and a pipe connection part. 11.The quick-action coupling as claimed in claim 1, wherein the toothedring includes a plurality of teeth extending from an inner surface ofthe toothed ring.
 12. The quick-action coupling as claimed in claim 1,wherein the toothed ring is closed in the circumferential direction. 13.The quick-action coupling as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one ofthe outer sleeve and the inner sleeve is transparent.
 14. Thequick-action coupling as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer sleevehas internal threads and is screwed onto external threads on the innersleeve.